Pivoted vane



Dec. 27, 1955 1 w. sHUTTs 2,728,354

PIVOTED VANE Filed Nov. 14, 1952 Inventor Attorneys PIVOTED VANE Leroy W. Shutts, Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application November 14, 1952, Serial No. 320,533 4 Claims. (Cl. 13S-37) This invention relates to a pivoted vane and more particularly to an actuating means for swinging the vane.

More specitically, the invention relates to a gas turbine exhaust duct which has a pivoted deector vane which is swung to various positions to direct various amounts of the turbine exhaust gases to a regenerator. In a gas turbine of any considerable power output, the deector vane is necessarily of large area and the vane is subjected to considerable pressure from the high velocity exhaust gas stream. The high pressure loading of the vane makes it impractical to impart turning force to the vane at its pivotal axis as this would require a heavily reinforced vane of considerable weight.

An object of the invention is to provide a pivoted vane with an actuating means that connects with the vane away from its pivotal axis so that the vane may be swung to various positions without the transmission of turning force at the pivotal axis of the vane.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Figs. l and 2 are elevational views of a turbine exhaust duct having a pivoted detlector vane therein in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial section taken on the plane indicated by the line 3 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial section of the slidable pivot comprising the vane actuating means of the invention;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial section taken on the plane indicated by the line 5 5 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 6 is a partial section taken on the plane indicated by the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, a gas deflector vane 10 is pivoted at one end about an axis defined by a pair of taper pins 12 and 14 which thread into bosses 16 and 18 welded to the walls of the turbine exhaust casing or conduit 2li. The exhaust conduit 20 is of increasing rectangular cross section from its turbine mounting flange 22 to its regenerator mounting liange 24 and the vane 10 serves to proportion the flow of exhaust gases to the regenerator.

The vane 1i) is actuated by the reciprocation of a rod 26 which is guided for movement in an axis that is spaced and normal with respect to the pivotal axis of the vane by a pair of sleeves 28 and 30 welded to the conduit 20. A pair of semi-circular cylinder blocks or followers 32 and 34 are disposed on opposite sides of the vane 10 to slide States Patent O in a rectangular slot 36 formed in the vane. The slot 36 extends radially of the pivotal axis of the Vane 10 and the cylinder followers 32 and 34 are provided with tongue portions 3S and 40 which are slidably engaged in the slot so that the slot provides a radial track or guide for the followers. A pair of annular collars 42 and 44 are secured to the rod 26 by a pair of tapered dowels 46 and 48 and engage the cylindrical surfaces of the followers 32 and 34 so that reciprocation of the rod will effect swinging of the vane. The followers 32 and 34 form a slidable circular cylinder which has its axis midway between the collars 42 and 44 to permit relative rotation or pivotal movement between the rod 26 and the followers. The followers 32 and 34 are provided with radial openings 50 and 52 for the rod 26 to pass through. The openings 50 and 52 are sufficiently large with respect to the rod 26 to permit the vaney 1t) to swing the desired amount. A pair of set screws 54 and 56 are carried by a pair of collars 58 and 6l) to engage the rod 26 and lock the vane in a desired position.

Obviously the invention may be utilized advantageously in the actuation of vanes other than gas deflection vanes wherein similar problems of high vane loadings make non-axial actuation desirable.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described fully in order to explain the principles of the invention, it is to be understood that modifications in structure may be made by the exercise of skill in the art within the scope of the invention, which is not to be regarded as limited by the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

I claim:

l. In combination, a conduit, a vane pivoted therein with a slot through said vane, a follower of circular section slidable in said slot, a reciprocable rod mounted across said conduit, said follower being radially pierced for the passage therethrough of said rod, and enlarged portions on said rod engaging opposite sides of said follower, whereby movement of said rod eifects movement of said vane.

2. In combination, a conduit, a vane pivoted therein with a slot through said vane, a pair of followers slidable in said slot each comprising a semi-circular cylinder on either side of said vane, a reciprocable rod mounted across said conduit, said cylinders being radially pierced for the passage therethrough of .said rod, and a pair of spaced collars on said rod each engaging one of said cylinders, whereby movement of said rod effects movement of said vane.

3. A combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said followers includes a ilat portion that bears against the surface of said vane and a tongue portion that protrudes from said ilat portion into `said slot in said vane.

4. A combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein means are associated with said conduit and said rod for adjustably securing said vane in different positions in said conduit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

